Mariners look to local partnerships for first NYL signings

Smith, who was born on the Central Coast and raised in Gosford, played his junior football with local club Wyoming before first being introduced to the junior representative scene with the Central Coast Lightning at 11 years of age.
 
Presently, the 18-year-old is a cornerstone member of the Lightning?s NSW Super League charge, having top scored for the Mariners? official feeder club with seven strikes so far this campaign, with the Lightning closing in on qualification for the finals.
 
In between Lightning commitments this season, Smith has made five trial match appearances for the Mariners senior team in the lead up to their Premiership defence, including a memorable strike in his debut starting appearance against the Northern Tigers at Mills Park.
 
Furthermore, Smith was an inaugural member of the Mariners? one of a kind Youth Academy, which was founded ahead of the Mariners? third season in an attempt to indentify and develop the Central Coast?s most promising 15 to 18-year-olds.
 
“We?re delighted to have commenced our recruitment campaign for the first ever NYL season with signings that are totally aligned with our club philosophy of looking local and promoting talent from within our region,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.
 
“Brady has been on the radar of the Mariners since first joining our Youth Academy and he?s a player that we have identified as one of the Central Coast?s truly promising talents and one that we are incredibly excited by.
 
“Nathan comes to us from Sydney Olympic in the NSW Premier League, but is a product of central western NSW, which is represented by Western Football ? one of seven regions in the state that we enjoy a partnership with.
 
“I?ve seen Nathan in action with our first team in trial matches previously and I?m excited by just how much he will develop with guidance from one of Australia?s all time great central defenders in our NYL Head Coach Alex Tobin.”
 
Sherlock?s capture is a coup for the Mariners? partnership with Western Football ? one of seven grassroots associations that benefit from a partnership with the Mariners.
 
Western Football covers the vast regions of New South Wales? central west, including Orange, where 18-year-old Sherlock was born.
 
Through this association and through Sherlock?s consistent showings in the state?s top tier competition, the Mariners were able secure the services of the strapping central defender, who resisted advances from Sydney FC to sign on with the yellow and navy for their 2008/09 NYL campaign.
 
“Both Brady and Nathan are players that we had intentions to sign as soon as the NYL was introduced,” said Mariners Development Manager Alex Tobin, who will spearhead the Mariners? NYL tilt from a coaching perspective.
 
“Both have such huge potential and we hope that they can fulfill this with the Mariners.
 
“As with all players that we will sign, we hope for them to not only play an integral part in our NYL campaign, but also push for places in the senior squad should the situation arise and both Brady and Nathan have played in trial matches with the first eleven and made the step up quite comfortably.
 
“The main priority for us with this NYL competition will be to develop players for our senior team and I?m hopeful and confident that each will be ready to make the step up to the Hyundai A-League in the coming season or in future campaigns.”